MusicForBlackSheep

MATT CORBY // VITAMIN

Matt Corby is a total legend! Not only is his music brilliant, he is a kind soul too. When he visited Dublin a couple of years ago, he got chatting to my Mum in an alleyway (don’t ask) and gave her a couple of tickets to his sold out show at The Olympia. There’s a lot more to that story but the point is, the guy is a fucking gent.

SAMUEL NICHOLSON / FRIDA *Unsigned*

Samuel Nicholson is a Scottish songwriter who has been plying his trade on the London live circuit recently (often found at Sam Bowcher‘s wonderful intimate BARK gigs). His music found my ears last year, on the back of a trusty recommendation from fellow Scottish singer Niamh Downes (Neev). Ballroom was the first song to get a spin, the rest followed.

Nicholson’s rugged, gravely vocal delivery is what gives him a stand-out glow. Throw in his distinct lyrical ability on top of that and you can see why many people in London have been eagerly awaiting his new album. ‘Frida‘ is a track from the forthcoming record and of course, has me itching for more.

If you would like to see a wonderful video of Samuel performing live in a back garden – give his Bramblebury Sessions performance a blast. I’ve watched it an unhealthy amount of times. (He opens his two song set with a stripped down version of ‘Frida‘)

Husky tones, poignant words and catchy melodies – that is Samuel Nicholson.

BRUDINI / NIGHTCRAWLER *Apollon Records* - 21/08/20

Last year, Erik Brudvik made a bold leap and jumped ship on a career in finance. He decided to leave London and flew across the Atlantic to pursue new beginnings in New York City. Armed with a bag of supplies and a hard-drive filled with his musical snippets, he knocked on the door of Sear Studios. Subsequently, and with the help of Grammy-winning producer Jeremy Loucas, he assembled his forthcoming record, From Darkness, Light.

Earlier in the year, I wrote an extensive piece about Erik’s previous single, Radiant Man – which really struck a chord. I remember sitting in my London room, lockdown had just become a reality and I had ample time to listen to the forthcoming album from start to finish, uninterrupted. It was a welcome tonic for a turbulent time. Nightcrawler was my stand-out pick from the collection, the bassline was smooth, vocals.. crisp and it had a captivating rolling rhythm.

The song itself was originally released under the title ‘The Nightcrawler‘ back in 2017. Erik decided to re-record the tune and give it a facelift, today’s release is what came of that.

The album combines the chiseled words of poet Chip Martin with Brudvik’s ability to create eerie, pensive sounds – often using obscure instrumentation. There are some superb textures to be heard within Brudvik’s compositions. I can’t write too much more about Nightcrawler – to cut to the chase, it’s just a top drawer tune and the highlight of the forthcoming album for me.